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In India, journeys have always been synonymous with a deeper meaning rather than just moving from one location to another. From the Char Dham to Sabrimala, these age-old trails interconnect temples and rivers. woods, and holy cities. Actually, these are not only religious paths; they are part of India's living heritage, where faith, culture, and nature are merged in a way that few modern travel experiences can offer. Here are some of the oldest and popular pilgrimage routes in India. If you are a seeker, a history lover, or just someone who enjoys slow and meaningful travel, these holy paths still have a lot to unveil to you. Char Dham Yatra (Uttarakhand) How about touching on one of India's most famous spiritual circuits first? The Char Dham Yatra in Uttarakhand leads to four temples situated at a high altitude: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath. Each temple worships a different god and is unique in Hindu mythology. The original path is harsh and extreme. It is steep, full of twisty trails, rivers coming from glaciers, and mountains covered in snow. Although vehicles and helicopters are available nowadays, still, a considerable number of people still trek their way. The power of walking through that path with only your step sounds and the ringing of the temple bell in the far-off coming into the silence of the mountain cannot be explained in words. Pandharpur Wari (Maharashtra) Once a year, lakhs of devotees are seen doing the Pandharpur Wari, an ancient walking pilgrimage to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur, which is more than 600 years old. The thing that makes this route most outstanding is how it unites people of every social class. Farmers, students, elders, complete families, all travel on foot in the procession. It usually includes 15 to 20 days of continuous walking. People dedicate their time to singing devotional songs as their way of passing the time during the walk. They also carry the palkhis (palanquins) of saint-poets like Tukaram and Dnyaneshwar, and stay at temporary camps which the locals have set up for them. It is not only a religious gathering but a cultural festival that is very alive with music, rhythm, and faith shared. Amarnath Yatra (Jammu & Kashmir) Among the list of pilgrimages in India, one of the most breathtaking is the Amarnath Yatra, which takes the pilgrims through the Kashmir Himalayas, offering stunning views. In its cave, an ice lingam can be found, and it is considered as the representation of Lord Shiva, and the formation is entirely natural and happens every year. There are two main routes - one through Pahalgam and the other through Baltal-and both are not for the faint-hearted and require good stamina and prior preparation. This trip challenges you physically while touching your spirit. Sabarimala Pilgrimage (Kerala) Sabarimala temple is situated deep down in the woods of the Western Ghats and is devoted to Lord Ayyappa. Every year, the holy place draws a huge number of pilgrims, mainly from South India. Before starting the journey, most of them would follow strict self-imposed rules for 41 days, including fasting. celibacy and self-discipline, which, basically, is turning the whole matter into an experience beyond the destination. Going to the temple, the trek is a steep climb through either forest or mountain paths and is very physically demanding; most of the pilgrims do it barefoot. Travel News - Find latest news and tips based on Indian and World travel including top 10 travel destination, tourism information, how to reach visit and more at Times Now.
